Shoeshine machines



Aug. 13, 1968 w. F. KELLY SHOESHINE MACHINES Filed Oct. 17. 1966 POWER SOURCE L 4 w R 5 5 R v m 5 10 m m m 9 5 L. P M g M 0 C MM m 4% mM A United States Patent 3,396,418 SHOESHINE MACHINES William F. Kelly, Rte. 2, Cleburne, Tex. 76031 Filed Oct. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 587,064 8 Claims. (Cl. 1531) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE It is accordingly, the general object of my invention to provide an improved shoeshine machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved system for applying shoe polish and for brushing the shoes.

Another object of my invention is to provide in a shoeshine machine an improved brush construction.

Another object of my invention is to provide for shoeshine machines an improved system for controlling plural sets of applicators and brushes.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description taken in accordance with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoeshine machine constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the shoeshine machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of a preferred spray nozzle arrangement for the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the spray nozzle arrangement of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of power and control means preferably utilized in the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The numeral 11 in the drawing designates an enclosed frame which supports a horizontal foot receiving platform 13 and a rearward vertically extending region 15. Extending horizontally in cantilever fashion over foot receiving platform 13 from vertically extending region 15 are two spaced apart rotatable brushes 17 and 19. Each of these brushes is substantially circular in vertical cross section and has an inner rough brush region 21 preferably constructed of horsehair and an outer smooth brush region 23 preferably constructed of lambs wool. Outer brush region 23 is constructed such that the lambs wool completely encloses its free end portion as shown in FIG. 1.

Communicating with horizontal foot receiving platform 13 is a foot well 25 into which the front portion of a shoe may be inserted as shown in FIG. 4. In the machine shown in FIG. 1 two horizontally spaced apart spray nozzles 27, 29 are positioned to protrude from apertures 31 (see FIG. 4) in the cover plate 33 that partially forms foot well 25. As indicated in FIG. 4, each of the spray nozzles 27, 29 is mounted for rotation through an angle a to enable selective variation of the angle at which the liquid polish is discharged. As may be seen in FIG. 3, each spray nozzle is mounted between two essentially horizontal conduits 35, 37 having threaded end portions received in mating apertures (not shown) in 3,396,418 Patented Aug. 13, 1968 ice the spray nozzle to enable rotation about a horizontal axis.

A handrail 39 is supported in a horizontal position over the foot receiving platform 13 by a pair of vertically extending legs 41 which have their lower end portion secured to the frame 11 inside the vertically extending region 15. The handrail 39 is preferably slightly lower than average waist height to enable persons using the machine to conveniently support themselves while one shoe receives liquid polish from a selected one of the spray nozzles 27, 29 or while using one of the rotatable brushes 17, 19.

A console 43 is supported above a mid-region of the vertically extending region 15 of the machine by a pedestal structure 46. The console has two coin operated switches 45, 47 which are aligned with switches 51, 55 and indicator lights 42, 44. Upon depositing the designated coin to close coin operated switch 47, for example, switch 53 (see FIG. 5) is automatically closed to start rotation of the brush 19, or alternatively, switch 55 may be manually depressed to pump liquid polish from spray nozzle 29. In the control system illustrated in FIG. 5 the brush 19 and spray nozzle 29 or brush 17 and the spray nozzle 27 may not be activated at the same time, since switches 49, 51 and switches 53, 55 are interconnected, as will become more fully apparent hereinafter.

Referring now especially to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the spray nozzles 27, 29 are obliquely oriented within the vertically extending region 15 that also encloses two electric motor driven compressors 48, 50 which (as shown schematically in FIG. 5) include respectively compressors 52, 54 and electric motors 57, 59. As may be seen in FIG. 2, conduit 37 to which the nozzle is rotatably mounted extends to a liquid polish reservoir 61, while conduit 35 upon which nozzle 29 is also rotatably mounted extends to the compressor 54 of the electric motor driven compressor 50, as shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, conduit 63 extends from a liquid polish reservoir 65 to nozzle 27 and another conduit 67 extends from this nozzle to the compressor 52 of the electric motor driven compressor 48. The electric motors 57, 59 associated with the electric motor driven compressors 48, 50 are connected in series respectively with switches 55, 51 and with meter 69 circuits (not shown) associated with the coin operated switches 45, 47. Similarly electric motors 71, 73 are connected in series respectively with switches 49, 53, which are connected in series respectively with meter 69 circuits associated with coin operated switches 45, 47. Electric motors 71, 73 drive the rotatable brushes 17, 19.

Each of the spray nozzles preferably is of the suction type, meaning that upon actuation of the associated compressor and the initiation of air flow through each nozzle a suction is formed in the conduit 37 or 63 communicating with liquid polish reservoir 61 or 65. However, other type nozzles such as nonair-activated, pure liquid types are within the broad scope of the invention. Preferably, each nozzle should have an air pressure actuated needle valve which automatically opens when air pressure is supplied to the nozzle but which automatically closes when the air pressure is reduced, thereby preventing loss of liquid from the nozzle when not in use.

I have discovered, for reasons explained hereinafter, that for best results the cross sectional diameters of the inner rough brush region 21 and the outer smooth brush region 23 should be substantially 7 and 4 /2 inches in diameter and rotate at substantially 1050 rpm. Satisfactory results are obtained, however, if the rough brush region 21 has diameter selected from a range varying from substantially 6 /2 through 7% inches and the outer smooth brush region has a diameter selected from a range varying from substantially 4 through 5 inches, while the 3 speed of rotation is selected from a range that varies from susbtantially 950 through 1150 rpm.

In operation selected colors (black and brown, for example) of liquid polish are placed in liquid reservoirs 6 1, 65. The person wanting a shoeshine approaches the coin operated switches 45, 47 and deposits the correct coin in the slot marked to indicate the color of polish associated therewith. If he deposits a coin in the slot associated with the switch 45, for example, the electric motor driven brush 17 will be activated automatically because the switch means includes a biasing element (not shown) designed to normally keep switch 49 closed and switch 51 open. If the user decides to initially brush the dust from his shoes, switch 49, being automatically closed, energizes motor 71, thereby rotating brush 17. When he thereafter decides to apply polish to his shoes, he depresses switch 51 and holds it down against the biasing element (not shown) to energize the motor 57 to actuate the spray nozzle 27. Switches 49, 51 (and also switches 53, 55), are interconnected such that engagement of one effects automatic disengagement of the other. Thus depression of switch 51 opens switch 49 to de-energize the motor 71 to stop rotation of brush 17. After the desired amount of polish has been applied to the shoe through spray nozzle 27, switch 51 is released, which automatically closes switch 49 to energize motor 71 to initiate rotation of the brush 17. Simultaneously, switch 51 is opened to tie-energize motor 57 to stop fluid flow through nozzle 27. Hence, either spray nozzle 27 or brush 17 may be utilized but not simultaneously when using the control system of FIG. 5.

The brush 19 and spray nozzle 29 operate in a manner identical with the brush 17 and spray nozzle 27 except different colors of shoe polish are utilized. To operate this side of the system a separate coin must be placed in the slot associated with switch 47 on the console.

Switches 45 and 47 of the console are controlled by timing meter 67 to automatically open after the passage of a selected amount of time. Meter 69 is, therefore, of the conventional coin operated type and two channels are provided to permit independent activation of the two sets of identical equipment described above.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have provided an invention having significant advantages. The utilization of the above described spray nozzle system and rotatable brush combination is an effective and advantageous manner of polishing shoes. Experimentation has shown that for optimum effectiveness the rotational speeds of brushes of the type described and their configuration must be correlated. If, for example, excessively high linear speeds are used at the periphery of the inner brush region, the finish on shoe leather may be irreparably damaged. The leather may have the appearance of being blistered under such conditions. Optimum results are obtained with the brush speeds described above. Since there is considerable variation in the pressure of the shoe against the brush and since some variations in the speed and the size of the brush must be permitted, I have discovered that the speeds and brush diameters may be selected from the ranges specified above. The speed of rotation of the brush cannot be too slow since this necessitates excessive pressures on the brush to obtain a good shine which causes the bearings to be heavily loaded, with accompanying disadvantageous results to the equipment.

The brush configuration is important and, as shown and described heretofore, its outer region should have a smooth construction, preferably of lambs wool, which completely encompasses the free end of the brush but which has a circular cross section having a diameter selected from the above ranges. If constructed in this manner a final polish of extremely high quality may be obtained. The arrangement of the brushes and the nozzles enables convenient use of the machine since two persons may use the two different colors of polish without interference. The full exposure of the brushes in the manner shown in FIG. 1 enables each user to turn his foot in essentially any direction to conveniently utilize first the rough brush region and then the smooth brush region. Since the shoe is not placed inside a slot and may be moved freely during the use of the machine, the user may visually determine the results obtained and may vary the polishing procedure accordingly.

When using the above described rotational speeds and diameters for a brush of the preferred construction, the linear speed of the outer periphery of the two regions of the brush are as follows:

Significant variations may be made in the size and rotational speeds of the brushes, but the linear speed of the periphery of the outer region 23 of each brush should be selected from a range varying from substantially 16 /2 through 25 feet per second, with the optimum linear speed being substantially 20 feet per second. The linear speed of the periphery of inner region 21 should be selected from a range varying from substantially 27 through 37 /2 feet per second, with the optimum being substantially 32 feet per second. It is the linear speed of the brush which controls the quality of the shine and there are countless variations in diameters and rotational speeds that may be utilized in arriving at linear speeds in the above ranges.

The-control system for my machine enables activation of either the spray nozzle or the brush on the same side of the machine. This results in significant savings in energy since only one motor of each side of the machine operates at one time. Moreover, it enables the user to switch from polish applicator to brush in a convenient and advantageous manner.

The manner of disposing the spray nozzles in the machine enables convenient adjustment of the angle a at which the spray is directed toward the shoe, as indicated in FIG. 4. The nozzles may be freely rotated about the horizontal axis defined by the associated conduits.

While I have shown my invention in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. A shoeshine machine comprising a frame; a horizontal foot receiving platform disposed along the front side of said frame; two horizontally spaced apart rotatable brushes carried by said frame to protrude in cantilever fashion over said horizontal foot receiving region and having an inner rough brush region and an outer smooth brush region, said brushes being substantially circular in vertical cross section with the inner rough brush region having a diameter selected from the range of 6 /2 through 7 /2 inches and the outer smooth brush region having a diameter selected from a range varying from substantially 4 to 5 inches; two horizontally spaced apart spray nozzles carried by said frame above said foot receiving region; two reservoirs to contain selected shoe polish; a conduit to connect a reservoir with a spray nozzle; power means carried by said frame to actuate said spray nozzles and to rotate said brushes at a speed selected from the range of 950 through 1150 r.p.m.; and control means carried by said frame to enable selective activation of said brushes and said nozzles.

2. The machine defined by claim 1 wherein said rough and smooth brush regions have diameters of respectively and substantially 7 and 4 /2 inches, with the speed of rotation of said brush being substantially 1050 rpm.

3. The machine defined by claim 2 wherein said spray nozzles are mounted to said frame to rotate about a horizontal axis to enable selective variation of the angle at which the liquid polish is discharged.

4. A shoeshine machine comprising a frame; a polish applicator carried by said frame; at least one brush secured to said machine and extending therefrom in cantilever fashion to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, said brush having an inner horsehair region having a cross sectional diameter of from substantially 6 /2 to 7 /2 inches and an outer lambs wool region having a cross sectional diameter of from substantially 4 to 5 inches; power means to rotate said brush from about 950 to 1150 r.p.m.; and control means to enable selective operation of said polish applicator and said brushes.

5. The machine defined by claim 4 where the respective diameters of said inner horsehair and said outer lambs wool regions are substantially 7 and 4 /2 inches and the speed of rotation of said brush is substantially 1050 r.p.m.

6. A shoeshine machine comprising a frame; a horizontal foot receiving platform disposed along the front side of said frame; two horizontally spaced apart rotatable and electric motor driven brushes carried by said frame to protrude in cantilever fashion over said horizontal foot receiving region; an electric motor connected with each brush; two horizontally spaced apart spray nozzles carried by said frame above said foot receiving region to discharge a selected liquid shoe polish adjacent an associated brush; an electric motor driven compressor communicating with each spray nozzle; an electric motor connected with each compressor; a liquid polish reservoir communicating through a vacuum line with a respective one of said spray nozzles; a coin operated meter communicating with said electric motor driven compressors and with said electric motor driven brushes, said meter having two separately coin operated switches in separate circuits for selective and separate energization of a circuit containing one electric motor driven brush and one associated electric motor driven compressor; and two switch means on a control panel of said coin operated meter to provide selective nonsimultaneous energization of the electric motor driven compressor or the electric motor driven brush of each said circuit.

7. A shoeshine machine comprising a frame; at least one polish applicator carried by said frame; at least one brush secured to said machine and extending therefrom in cantilever fashion; said brush having an inner rough brush region of circular cross section and a smaller, outer smooth brush region; power means carried by said frame for rotating said brush; with the rotational speed and the diameters of the above said regions of the brush being correlated to produce a linear speed of the periphery of the inner brush region in a range from substantially 27 through 37 /2 feet per second and a linear speed of the periphery of said outer brush region in a range from substantially 16 /2 through 25 feet per second.

8. The machine defined by claim 7 in which the linear speed of the periphery of said inner brush region is substantially 32 feet per second while the linear speed of the periphery of said outer brush region is substantially 20 /2 feet per second.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 153,274 7/1874 Palmer 1534 826,806 7/1906 Scoggins l534 X 2,723,409 11/1955 Kluba 15-34 X 2,818,589 1/1958 Carter 15-33 X 3,145,403 8/1964 Allen 1536 X FOREIGN PATENTS 20,908 12/ 1904 Sweden. 1,407,040 6/ 1965 France. 1,189,685 4/1965 Germany.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

R. 1. SMITH, Assistant Examiner. 

